Suspended switch for electric railways



I, 4 Sheets- Sheet 1.

(No Model.)

C. H. WELLS. SUSPENDED SWITCH FOR ELEGTRIG RAILWAYS.l

Patented Jan. 15, 1889.

g l V] (No Modei.) l 4 sheets-sheet 2. 0. H.YWBLLs-. l l SUSPENDEDSWITCH FOR BLEGTRIURAILWAYS. N0.' 396,124.

Patented Jan. l5; 1889.

lr.. p @WM m N. PETzRa mmvulmgnpw, Waldman. DLC.

4 Sheets-Sheet 3.

(No Model.)

' C. H. WELLS.

SUSPENDED SWITCH FOR ELBGTRIG RAILWAYS. No. 396,124. l Patented Jan. 15.1889.

Patented Jan. 1-5, 1889.

FIG Il Nita STATES? CLARK HOHER VELLS, OF KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI.

SUSPENDED SWITCH FOR ELECTRIC RAILWAYS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 396,124, dated January15, 1889.

Application ned April 25, 1888. sena No. 271,825. (No model To all whomit may concern.-

Be it known that I, CLARK Homin WELLS, a citizen of the UnitedStates,residing at Kansas City, in the county of Jackson and State ofMissouri, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in SuspendedSwitches for Electric Railways; and I do hereby declare the following tobe a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as willenable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and usethe same.

Hy invention is designed for use in connection with those systems ofelectric railways wherein the current is supplied to the carmotor fromone or more suspended or overhead wires adapted to serve as the.trackway of traveling trolleys of conducting inaterial in electriccontact with said trackways and connected by depending' conductors withthe car-motor, the arrangement being such that the depending conductorsand the trolleys travel with the car. In electric-railway systems ofthis general character the particular exigencies of the case frequentlyrequire that for a portion of its length the same conductor be employedfor trolleys supplying motors upon cars traveling in oppositedirections. In such case it is obvious that in order for the twooppositely-moving trolleys to pass each other without interference oneof them must pass ont upon a branch from the main conductor, and that amovable switch must be provided at the point of meeting of said branchand main conductor. In those instances where the return-current to thesource of electrical energy is conveyed by a second overhead conductoralso provided with a traveling trolley and dependin connection a similarbranch and switch must be provided for said second conductor. The samenecessity arises where from a terminal point or station two branchconductors or pairs of conductors extend along the route traversed, oneof said branch conductors or pairs of conductors serving the motors ofcars traveling toward the terminal, and the other serving the motors ofcars traveling from it. In such oase it has been customary for thebranch conductors to connect by means of a switch with main conductorscommon to both, a manually-operated switch being necessary to transferthe trolleys from the branch to the main and out again upon the otherbranch for the return trip.

The purpose of my invention is to obviate the loss of time andinconvenience consequent upon these manually-operated switches byproviding a switch of suoli a character that the trolley or trolleysadvancing toward it automatically shift said trolley or trolleys uponone of the branches, said switch also permitting the passage of atrolley or trolleys past it from the other branch, both operations beingeffected without manual intervention of any kind whatever.

In the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, Ihave illustrated my invention as applied to an overhead system of thetwo-wire type.

Figure 1 represents a plan view of such a system embodying myimprovements. Fig. 2 represents a side elevation thereof, the point ofview being at the lower part of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 represents in detailaside elevation at the point of meeting of the conductor shown at theupper part of Fig. 1 and one part of the movable switch. Fig. 4trepresents a like view at the point of meeting of the conductor shown atthe lower part of FiO. 1 and the other part of the movable switch. Figs.5 and 6 represent in detail plan views of the switcl1-crossing,tl1eswitch being shown as opened by the passage of a trolley on the upperconductor in one direction and as remainin g closed during the passageof a trolley on the lower conductor in the opposite direction. Figs. 7and 8 represent end views of the system, showing, respectively, thetrolleys as passing out upon a branch and as entering upon the main lineand operating the switch in their passage. Figs. 9 and 10 represent,respectively, plan views of Figs. 7 and S. Fig. 11 represents across-section taken upon a line, 11 11, of Fig. 1. Fig'. 12 representsin detail side elevation one of the outgoing trolleys on its way towardthe switchcrossing. Fig. 13 represents in detail end elevation theapproach of one of the incoming trolleys toward said crossing; and Figs.

view of the gravitating hinged arm forming a part of the switch. Fig. 16represents in IOO sideand front elevation a modified form of vf flexiblehanger for supporting the movable ends of the switch.

Similarl numerals of reference indicate similar parts throughout theseveral views.

In the drawings, 1 2 indicate overhead main conductors of opposite sign,carrying', respectively, the incoming and returning cu rrents of theear-motors, and serving as trackways for the traveling contact-trolleysof said motors. For the purposes of illustration 1 will assume that aterminal station is located at the proximate ends of these mainconductors, the line 1 3 representing a branch supporting trolleysmoving toward the said terminal and the line 2 4f representing a branchsupporting trolleys moving from the terminal. The conductors 1 2 3 Jeare supported in the usual manner from fixed bracket-arms 5, or thelike, attached securely to a suitable bearing-frame, as indicated indotted lines in Fig. 1 and in full lines in the other figures.

The trolleys of conducting material are of the usual form employer'l foroverhead systems, and have a double flange, forming a deepintermet'liate groove., as shown, the depending conductor f5 serving asthe trolleyaxle and having' a double bend, 7, so as to bring it directlyin line with the trolleyitsclf. Below the bend it is provided with aheavy insulating-sleeve, 8.

The conductors 1 2 are continuous throughout and at the switch arelocated in the same horizontal plane. The main portion of saidconductors is, as usual, circular in cross-section, but at the point ofdivergence toward the branches, and preferably for some distance beyondsaid points, the said conductors arc fiattened out, so as to form broadvertical faces or ctmtact-surf'aces i) 1o. The proximate end 11A of thebranch conductor l is flattened to correspond to the surface El, andnormally rests against said surface, the combined thickness of the marinconductor and branch along the points of contact being equal to or lessthan the diameter of the main body, so that a trolley passing over thejoint may not be forced olf its track.

The branch conductorl rises from the horizontal plane of the mainconductors 1 2, forming a curve above the switch-section 12, and againdropping to the horizontal plane at the point 17, the highest point ofthe curve being just over the switch-section 12. The said curved portionof the branch conductor -LL is rigidly connected at the point 1S to oneof t-he brackets or hangers 5, but is flexible beyond said point towardits free end, said free end being sustained by the hanger 15. Thishanger is of such a character as to normally hold the flattened surface11 of the branch conductor against the flattened surface 9 of the mainconductor 1, thereby insuringl good electrical contact along saidsurfaces. To attain this purpose, 1 preferably provide said hanger 15with a loose joint, as shown. This joint is outside of the center ofgravity of the depending arm of the hanger, whereby the latter tends constantly to gravitate into avertical plane, and is of sufficient weightto normally hold the free end of the branch conductor against theflattened surface of the main ctniductor,while at the same time it permits said free end to swing inwardly when shifted by the passage of atrolley, as hereinafter described, d ropping back to the normal positionafter the trolley has passed. It is evident that the depending arm ofthe hanger, instead of being jointed, might be of' flexible material, asrepresented in Fig.1(5, closing the connection with the. main conductor,as before, but by reason ol' its flexibility capable of permittingtheinward swing of the branch conductor, as described.

The branch conductor 3 dips downwardly in a descending curve from apoint, 25, to its free end 13, which is Iiattened and forms a lap-joint,as shown, with the flattened end 14- of the movable switch-section 12.The said switch-section is supported upon hangers 1.() of the kindhereinbe'fore described. From the lap-joint referred totheswitch-section 12 curves gradually upward and terminates in a secondflattened portion, 1G, :fitting against the fiattened portion 1 of themain conductor 2. The swinging armsor ln'ackets 1U 2O serve to maintainthe movable switch-section normally in the position shown in full linesin Fig. 1,but permit it to be shifted by the trol- '.leys in the mannerhereinafter set forth.

At the flattened end 13 of the conductor 3, and at the iiattencd end 1dof the switch-seetion 12, are provided gravitating arms 22 23, similarlydisposed with relation to said ends. lt will be noted thatthese arms archinged to the flattened ends at an angle to the perpendicular, wherebythey normally drop obliquely downward and inward from said ends, theextent of the drop being limited by the back-stops 2l, as shown morefully ini Figs. 1-1V and 15. The length and inclination ofthe arm are sochosen that it will lic in the path of movement of' the bend 7 of atrolley advancing toward it from the main conductor 1 while arm 22) isso arranged as to guide the insulated portion of a trolley passing' outupon the branch i in such manner as to cause itto separate the lap-jointat the junction ol' the branch 3 and movable switch-sectitm 12.

The parts being constructed and arrangeifl as described, the operationof myinvention is as follows: In moving out upon the branch 4 2 thetrolleys shown in Fig. 1 upon the main conductors 1 2 must pass theswitch. The bend 7 of the right-hand trolley in passing the switchstrikes the depending arm 22, thereby causing the switch-section 1.2 toswing inwardly through the intermediacy of' t-he hanger 20 into theposition shown in dotted lines in Fig. 1 and in full lines in Figs. 7and 9. This shifting of' the switch-section permits the trolley to passout along the main. lith the passage of the trolley the hanger 2O dropsback to its original position, thereby restoring the switch-section, Thetrolley shown on con- AIOO ductor 1 of Fig. 1. in passing' out on thebranch rises upon the curved section of the branch 4; until it attainsthe summit of said curve. At this point of its route the insulatedportion 8 is guided by the depending arm 23 directly to the lap-jointformed between the end 13 of the branch and the end 14 of the movableswitch-section 12. The said insulated portion S accordingly opens saidlap-joint, as illustrated more fully in Fig. 5, thereby permitting thedepending' connection from the trolley to the motor to pass the switch.Vhen the trolley has passed, the gravitating hanger 19 brings theswitch-section back to its original position, closing the lap-joint. Inpassing from the branch 1 3 to the main conductors l 2 the bend '7 ofthe outside trolley enters the angle :formed between the conductor 1 andthe free end of the branch conductor 4, forcing said free end t0 swinginwardly upon its hanger 15, as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 1 and infull linesl in Figs. 8 and 10. After the passage of the trolley the freeend of the conductor t swings back to its original position.

The trolley upon the branch conductor 3 passes in upon the mainconductor 2 past the gravitating arms 23 22, which, being hinged, foldinwardly upon the hinge-joints, so as to permit the passage of thetrolley, whereupon they drop back to their normal positions.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is l. An overheadsystem for electric railways provided with traveling trolleys an ddepending' motor-connections, and consisting of main conductorscarrying' currents of opposite polarity, two pairs of branch conductors,

the outer members ol which form continuations ot' the main conductors,and the inner members being connected to said main conductors by anautomatic switch provided with flexibly-supported end sections normallyin contact with said, main conductors, but adapted to be swung aside topermit the passage of trolleys traveling in either direction,substantially as described.

2. An overhead system for electric railways provided with travelingtrolleys and depending motor-connections, and consisting of mainconductors carrying currents of opposite polarity, two pairs of branchconductors, the outer members ot' which form continuations ot the mainconductors, a swinging bracket supporting the free end of one ot' theinner branch conductors and holding it normally in contact with .one ofthe main conductors, a movable switch-section connecting the free end ofthe other branch conductor to the other main conductor7 and swinging'brackets normally holding said switch-section in contact with saidlatter branch and main conductors, substantially as described.

3. An overhead system for electric railways provided with traveling'trolleys and de' pending motor-connections, and consisting of mainconductors carrying currents of opposite polarity, two pairs of branchconductors,

vthe outer members of which formv continuations of the main conductors,a swingingv bracket supporting the free end of one of the inner branchconductors and holding it normally in contact with one ot' the mainconductors, said free end rising from its point of contact with the mainconductor to the point where it crosses the plane o't the other branchconductor, and a movable switch-section connecting'the tree end ot saidlatter branch conductor with the remaining main conductor, and swingingbrackets normally holding said switch section in contact with the latterbranch and main conductors, substant-ially as described.

4. An overhead system for electric railways provided with travelingtrolleys and depending` motor-connections, and consisting of mainconductors carrying currents of opposite polarity, two pairs ot' branchconductors, the outer members of which form continuations of the mainconductors, a swinging' bracket supporting the free end of one ot' theinner branch conductors and holding' it normally in contact with one ofthe main conductors, said free end rising graduallyv from its point ofcontact with the main conductor to the point where it crosses the planeof the 'other branch conductor, a movable switchsection connect-ing thefree end of the other branch conductor with the remaining' mainconductor, said free end and said movable switch-section being' eachprovided with a gravitating guide-arm, and swinging brackets normallyholding' said switch-section in cont-act with the said latter branch andmain conductors, substantially as described.

5. An overhead syst-em for electric railways provided with traveling'trolleys and depending motor-connections, and consisting of mainconductors carrying currents of opppsite polarity, two pairs of branchconductors, the outer members of which form continuations of the mainconductors, (a swinging bracket supportii'ig the tree end of one of theinner branch conductors and holding it normally in contact with. one ofthe main conductors, said main conductor and free end being flattened attheir surfaces of contact, and said free end rising gradually from itspoint of contact to the point where it 'crosses the plane of' the otherbranch conductor, a movable switch-section flattened at its oppositeends and forming a lap-joint with the .iiattened free end of the otherbranch cond uctor and with the remaining main conductor, said free endand said movable switchsection being each provided with a gravitatingguide-arm for shifting the switch-section,

and swing'ingl brackets normally holding said switch-section in contactwith the said latter branch and main conductors, substantially asdescribed.

6. An overhead system for electric railways provided with travelingtrolleys having depending' motor-connections, and consisting of mainconductors and two pairs of branch IOO IIO

conductors, the outer members of said pairs forming continnations of themain conductors, and the inner members crossing the one above the otherat the switch, the lower one being provided at the point ot' crossingwith a separable joint normally closed, but permitting the passage ofthe depending motor connection ot a trolley upon the upper branch,substantially as described.

7. In an overhead sysiem for electric railways oi' thekind described,the combination, with a movable switch-section, of an obliquely-hingedgravitaiing guide -arm adapted thereby to tall normally in the path of atrolley advancing toward the branch from the main line, but to be thrownout of obstructive engagement by the trolleys advancing in the oppositedirection, snl'istantially as described.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in 3o presence of twowitnesses.

C. IIOMER VELLS.

IVitnesses:

ROBINSON XVHITE, ROBERT E. HALL.

